The Kingdom of God is at Hand For You"

Today's Mass Readings

“Rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” says Ezra and Nehemiah to the weeping former exiles now returned to their home in Jerusalem. What emotions must have overcome the Israelites who were allowed to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild their temple! While God had never abandoned them, they had been unable to worship him in the way they desired. Their exile in a foreign nation took away their right to worship according to the Law. Now they are home at last, and celebration is in order! The reading of the law, as we see in today’s first reading reminded the Jews of their past: the mistakes in neglecting the law, their infidelity to God, and the consequences of their actions. But they are also made aware of the abundant mercy of God that brought them home once more. Their exile to a foreign land has served an educative purpose for the people. It allowed them to recognize their past mistakes and to acknowledge their dependence on God, who freed them from the exile. Hence the reading of the law evoked great emotion. As the psalm for today says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” The people are ready again to embrace this law and to acknowledge, not its restrictions, but its nourishment.

In the gospel, meanwhile, Jesus proclaims the kingdom that is at hand. It is he, Jesus - he is the kingdom of God at hand. Jesus personifies the Kingdom. God has come to live among his people and to call them to repentance through the virtue of his love for them. This urgent message – the proclamation of the kingdom – contrasts with the joy of the first reading from Nehemiah. The disciples are told of the difficulties to come in their long and harrowing journeys. How do they fit together? They are complementary, in at least one sense. While the life of faith in God and the following of his law brings great joy, it also brings tribulation. While God is merciful and loving, providing for his people, he also wants his people to love him in return, to worship him in word and in deed, to love him in the truth.

Let us not shy away from the Christian message when it presents difficulty and sacrifice, but rather, let us embrace it. Let us rejoice in God’s love and great mercy for us, and may it transform it in our relationships with those around us. St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast we celebrate today is a great example of this. Like him, ay we have compassion for the poor crucified in our world and have confidence that God loves and rejoices in every last creature on earth, from human beings to the simplest insect.